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Rick Neeley Calendar Reviews Recordings Links McNamara and Gibson Legacy Past Shows |
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"Rick Neeley has talent. He's a great banjo player and has a wonderful stlyle on the 12-string guitar. In the right hands the 12-string is an orchestra of strings and Neeley has the hands. But, what seperates Rick from the pack of great talents is his ability to entertain. Rick's show at The World Folk Music Company was captivating from the first strum of the banjo. He has a relaxed rapport with his audience and a pocket full of great songs and stories. And make no mistake when Rick entertains the audience is his. "The only way to reach this level of performance is through years of playing experience. Rick Neeley is able to reach into his experience and pull out songs that delight and entertain." "A rich mixture of traditional folk, covers, and Rick has a driving style and a talent for connecting with his audiences. His engaging style and expertise on the 12-string guitar and 5-string banjo wrap you in a blanket of music and carry you to a simpler time. About General Merchandise . . . In a world of singer-songwriters striving to be ever He shows great taste in music, programming a pleasing . . . the CD has an overall upbeat, bouncy feel, This recording is a wondeful time warp,but not an
MORE! MORE! MORE!
Using a musical mix of guitar, banjo and acoustic bass, this trio, subtitling themselves the Store Keepers (dispensing the General Merchandise, I suppose), presents us with a wide-ranging mixture of old and new tunes. We learn from the notes that Rick Neeley has been playing for over 40 years, John Cavalier is a classically trained guitarist and Marc Edelstien suggested a musical get-together a quarter-century ago. Well, they got together and the CD is a joy to hear. The tracks range from the traditional to songs by some of the modern giants of songwriting. Gordon Lightfoot's "Ribbon of Darkness" is given an excellent treatment. This is followed by a spirited rendition of "St. James Infirmary." I was expecting a version of the "Lock Hospital," but this is a very much gospel take on death and loss. "King Brady" is one of those very interesting story-songs that could be adapted as a crime drama for television. The trio gives us a beautiful rendition of the great tune "Evangelina." Evocative banjo picking transports us to "East Virginia," a traditional tune and song. John Stewart's song "Strange Rivers" is a new one to my ears, but I would class it as one of my favourites on the album. It is a clean, classy piece that is delivered with clear voice and unobtrusive backing that deliver a strong tale. Neeley is also a writer. His track "Better Times" is well written and expertly performed. The album ends with the Gibson/Silverstein track "Fog Horn." General Merchandise is a CD that delivers on the content of the title. Here you will get a very good mix of music and styles. It is a very worthwhile album and well worth seeking out. . . . written by Nicky Rossiter
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What do
the fans say?
". . .I love it!
Folk music the way it's
supposed to be played."
. . .Chris McNamara
"First and foremost
"Strange Rivers"
(a personal favorite
from your concerts)
I can't say enough
about your work
on this great tune
YOU NAIL IT!!
The arrangement
and instrumental work on
"Under The Rainbow" and
"That's The Easy Part"
are superb !"
. . . John Silady
" It's a terrific and very
professional piece of work,
from the liner notes,
to the song production."
"I've always liked hearing
Rick,and his song
selections...but he's
reached a new height
on General Merchandise.
Never heard him better! "
. . . Bob Edwards
"Why...
it sounds just like him !"
. . . Rick's Mother
Points of Interest
Rick played a
12- string guitar s built by
Bozo Podunavac.
On this recording
he uses a Wildwood
Troubadorlong neck
5-string banjo .
Rick uses GHS custom
Extra Long banjo strings
and on the 12-string
D'Angelicobrass
w ound strings.
IS better!
John Cavalier played
a 1970 Martin D-35.
On Better Times, he
played a Gibson, Les
Paul through a Fender
commemorative amp
smaller than a box of
cereal. Ah, the wonders
of modern electronics.
Marc Edelstein plays
an old Morelli
string bass with a
gargoyle head at the
top of the scroll.